For a long time, frozen food didn’t stand a chance against fresh. But according to market research company NPD Group, the frozen food aisle is getting more crowded. NPD’s The Future of Dinner Report says that last year, people used frozen foods for 9.8 billion eating occasions at home. That’s an increase of 2% over the last decade.
Why now?
Frozen food’s popularity rebound can be attributed to several factors. Here are a couple of examples from the report.
#1. People are seeking healthy options and recognize frozen food as a viable candidate.
“Now [consumers] also realize that frozen food is nutritional and offers the same kind of health benefits fresh food does,” says David Portalatin, NPD Food Industry Advisor.
#2. Millennials, a group with enormous buying power, are busier than ever before.
“Demographic shifts, like Millennials moving into the busiest times of their lives juggling spouses, kids, and a career, are fueling a greater need for the convenience that frozen foods offer,” explains Portalatin.
#3. The vast majority — 80% — of meals and other eating occasions happen at home, and people are turning to the frozen food aisle for fast, convenient main meal options.
The modern frozen food aisle
The scene described in NPD’s report isn’t your grandparent’s frozen food aisle. Portalatin says, “Manufacturers are also doing their part in increasing interest in frozen foods by innovating around contemporary food values and emerging flavor trends to provide convenience.”
So while frozen veggies and chicken still rule as the prime ingredients for quick dinners, consumers are scooping up alternate solutions for all their “heat-and-eat” meals.
For instance, experts project that frozen entrees at dinner will continue to grow in popularity over the next four years. Further, the frozen breakfast category is expanding quickly — the report cites waffles, fruit, and sandwiches as consumer favorites.
More findings from the report
The findings suggest that frozen food will be a staple for dinner in years to come, but that’s not all the report showed.
According to NPD, dinner time will remain relevant in American households. However, Portalatin says it will look a little different. “While dinner as an institution is deeply rooted, the what, how, and why surrounding dinner reflects much of the disruptive change we see all around us.”
Here are a few more snippets from the report:
By Hilary Smith
Source: Food Industry Executive
Carlsberg has announced the departure of its chief financial officer (CFO), Heine Dalsgaard, after six years in the position. In a statement, Carlsberg said that Dalsgaard was resigning from the post to take up the role of CFO at a private equity-backed company in a different industry.
Kellogg will split into three independent companies to focus on the snack business, Reuters reported Tuesday. The snacking portfolio will comprise the main business, while the North America cereal unit and the plant-based business will be spun off. The company is also considering a sale of the plant-based business.
The snacks giant says the acquisition will help build on its commitment to “lead the future of snacking” in key geographies worldwide. Once the transaction is completed, Mondelēz will continue to operate the Clif Bar business from its headquarters in Emeryville, California. The snack giant will also continue to manufacture Clif Bars’ products, which include Clif Bar, Luna and Clif Kid, at its facilities in Idaho and Indiana.
